College football’s next star has 1,000 yards rushing after just five games this season

There's a reason why Stanford isn't terribly missing Christian McCaffrey this season — his name is Bryce Love.

The junior leapt into action this season to the tune of a whopping 1,088 yards rushing.

He rushed for 301 yards on Saturday, breaking McCaffrey's single-game rushing record:

Only 2 Stanford players have rushed for 200 yards in consecutive games: Christian McCaffrey last year and Bryce Love in his last two games. pic.twitter.com/eL0lyTDpr3

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 30, 2017

Bryce Love broke Christian McCaffrey?s Stanford single-game record with 301 rushing yards today and now has 1,088 yards in 5 games ? pic.twitter.com/lGyH3H0IRU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 30, 2017

And he's already joining historic company.

.@StanfordFball Bryce Love compared to last 5 RBs who won the #Heisman thru 5 games. pic.twitter.com/UJTj3k1Cbr

— Michael Yam (@Mike_Yam) September 30, 2017

Barry Sanders's first 5 games in 1988:
130 carries for 1,002 yards

Bryce Love's first 5 games this season:
98 carries for 1,088 yards https://t.co/MAXyTObLjq

— Zach Barnett (@zach_barnett) September 30, 2017

Penn State's Saquon Barkley is still likely the front runner for the Heisman trophy, but Love has pretty clearly placed himself in the conversation.